면양(緬羊)에 의한 Formaldehyde 처리 Alfalfa 엽(葉) 분미의 단백질 가치평가에 관한 연구

강희신,R. H. Weston,J. R. Ashes,P. Davis,R. W. Edols 한국낙농학회 1985 韓國酪農學會誌 Vol.7 No.4

低質 粗飼科 밀짚으로 飼育되는 交雜種 緬羊 6頭를 供試하며 alfalfa 葉 粉末, 當年葉, 貯藏葉, 2% HCHO處理 當年葉 및 4% HCHO處理貯藏葉을 供試 飼料로 하고 밀짚 基本飼料 700g 및 alfalfa 粉末 補充飼料 300g 計 1.0㎏를 日量 飼料로 連續 給餌器에서 3시간 間隔으로 1日 8回 給與하며 20日間씩의 代謝試驗을 4回 實施하였다. ^(51)Cr-EDTA 및 ^(103)Ru-phe의 二重 標識物質을 使用하여 腸內 內容物의 通過量 및 滯在時間反芻胃 溶量, 有機物 및 窒素의 利用性을 測定한 結果 다음과 같은 結果를 얻었다. 1. 反芻胃 溶液中의 NH₃態 窒素 濃度는 貯藏葉이 當年葉보다 17.5% 높으며(P<.01) 2% HCHO處理 當年葉은 그 無處理보다 7% 程度 減少되고 4% HCHO處理 貯藏葉은 無處理보다 34.0% 程度 減少(P<.01)되었다. 2. 反芻胃로부터 流入되는 NH₃態 窒素 量은 當年葉보다 貯藏葉이 18% 增加(P<.01)되고 2% HCHO處理 當年葉은 無處理보다 6% 減少 (P<.05)되며, 4% HCHO處理 貯藏葉은 無處理보다 32% 減少(P<.01)를 나타내었다. 3. 第4胃內 NAN含量은 當年葉이 貯藏葉보다 6% 增加되며 2% HCHO處理 當年葉은 無處理보다 5.6%의 增加(P<.05) 4% HCHO處理 貯藏葉은 그 無處理보다 17% 程度의 增加(P<.01)를 나타내었다. 4. 第4胃로부터 排出되어 小腸에 流入되는 NAN의 量은 當年葉보다 貯藏葉이 9.0% 더 流入되며(P<.05) 2% HCHO 處理 當年葉은 그 無處理보다 6% 程度 增加(P<.05) 流人되었다. 5. 飼料源 室素 100g 攝取量當 NAN의 小腸內 消化量은 當年葉보다 貯藏葉이 10% 程度 消化가 增進(P<.05)되며 2% HCHO 處理 當年葉은 無處理보다 6% 程度 消化가 增進(P<.05)되었다. 6. 飼料源 室素 100g 攝取量 當 糞中 窒素의 排泄量은 當年葉보다 貯藏葉이 8% 정도(P<.01), 2% HCHO處理 當年葉은 無處理보다 6% 程度(P<.05) 더 排泄되었으며 4% HCHO處理葉은 그 無處理에 比하여 2% 程度 더 排泄되었으나 有意差는 認定되지 않았다. 7. 反芻胃液(Y, ㎎ N%)과 第4胃 濾液(X, ㎎ N%)中의 NH₃態 室素 濃度와의 關係는 다음 回歸 方程式으로 表示되었다. Y = 3.981 + 1.2783(±0.3736)X (r = 0.59, n-2=22) 8. 飼料 窒素 攝取量에 對한 補充飼料 alfalfa 葉 粉末의 小腸內 流入 NAN의 百分比는 當年葉, 2% HCHO處理 當年葉 및 無處理 貯藏葉의 順으로 각각 57.0%, 68.0% 및 65%로 推定되었다. 따라서 小腸內 流入 NAN은 2% HCHO處理 當年葉이 無處理보다 19%, 貯藏葉은 當年葉 無處理보다 14% 程度 增加된 것으로 推定된다. 9. 貯藏葉 補充時 音機物 消化率은 當年葉을 補充할 때 보다 約 1% 減少되고 當年葉 및 貯藏葉에 HCHO處理는 葉中 有機物의 排泄量을 0∼3.4% 程度 增加시키는 傾向이었으나 有意差는 當年葉과 貯藏葉 間에만 認定되었다. 10. 反芻胃液 및 第4胃液의 各 腸器 通過率, 反芻胃 容量 및 그 內容物의 滯在時間은 處理間有意差가 認定되지 않았다. 1. The OM out-put in the faeces was about 3% unit higher with the Old than that with the New, while with the HCHO treated meals there was only a slightly and insignificantly increasing tendency in the OM out-put. 2. No significant differences in the liquor flow rate of the rumen and the abomasum fluid, and in the rumen volume and retention time were found between the treatments. 3. The ruminal NH₃-N concentration in the Old was about 17.5% unit higher (P<0.01) than that in the New, while the New + 2% HCHO was about 7.0% unit (P<0.10) and the Old + 4% HCHO was about 34% lower (P<0.01) than those in the untreated-New and Old. 4. The amount of NH₃-N excreted from the rumen in the Old was 18% unit higher (P<0.01) than that in the New, and that in the New + 2% HCHO about 6% unit was lower, though insignificant, than that in the New, while that in the Old + 4% HCHO was about 32% unit lower (P<0.01) than that in the Old. 5. The NAN content of the intestine in the New was about 6% unit higher (P<0.10) than that in the Old, while in the New + 2% HCHO and the Old + 4% HCHO about 6% unit (P<0.05) and 17% unit (P<0.01) were higher than those in the New and the Old, respectively. 6. The amount of NAN excreted from the abomasum in the Old was about 9% unit higher (P<0.05) than that in the New, while the New + 2% HCHO resulted about 6% unit higher (P<0.01) NAN excretion than the New. 7. The NAN digested in the intestine per 100g of dietary nitrogen intake in the Old was about 10% unit higher (P<0.10) than that in the New, while in the New + 2% HCHO about 6% unit was higher (P<0.05) than that in the New. 8. The fecal nitrogen output per 100g of dietary nitrogen intake in the Old was about 8% unit (P<0.01), in the New + 2% HCHO was about 6% unit and in the Old + 4% HCHO about 2.4% unit was higher (P<0.10) than in the New and the Old. 9. The significant correlation between the concentrations of NH₃-N in the abomasal filtrates and those in the ruminal fluids permitted to draw a predictive equation by regression analysis as follows: y = 3.981 + 1.2783(+0.3736) X, where, Y = Ruminal NH₃-N concentration (㎎ N%) X= NH₃-N concentration in abomasal filtrates (㎎ N%), (n-2=22) and (r=0.59) 10. The percent of NAN entered the intestines over supplemental leaf meal nitrogen intake in the New, the New + 2% HGHO and the Old were 57.0, 68.0 and 65%, respectively. The NAN entered the intestine in the New + 2% HCHO and the Old were 19% and 14% higher than those in the New, respectively.

Expression phenotype changes of EBV-transformed lymphoblastoid cell lines during long-term subculture and its clinical significance

Lee, J.-E.,Nam, H.-Y.,Shim, S.-M.,Bae, G.-R.,Han, B.-G.,Jeon, J.-P. Blackwell Publishing Ltd 2010 Cell proliferation Vol.43 No.4

<P>Abstract</P><P>Objectives: </P><P>The EBV-transformed lymphoblastoid cell line (LCL) is a useful resource for population-based human genetic and pharmacogenetic studies. The principal objective here was to assess expression phenotype changes during long-term subculture of LCLs, and its clinical significance.</P><P>Materials and methods: </P><P>We searched for genes that were differentially expressed in 17 LCLs at late (p161) passage compared to early passage (p4) using microarray assay, then validated them by real-time RT-PCR analysis. In addition, we estimated correlations between expression phenotypes of 20 LCL strains at early passage and 23 quantitative clinical traits from blood donors of particular LCL strains.</P><P>Results: </P><P>Transcript sequences of 16 genes including nuclear factor-&kgr;B (NF-&kgr;B) pathway-related genes (such as <I>PTPN13</I>, <I>HERC5</I> and miR-146a) and carcinogenesis-related genes (such as <I>XAF1</I>, <I>TCL1A</I>, <I>PTPN13</I>, <I>CD38</I> and miR-146a) were differentially expressed (>2-fold change) in at least 15 of the 17 LCL strains. In particular, <I>TC2N</I>, <I>FCRL5</I>, <I>CD180</I>, <I>CD38</I> and miR-146a were downregulated in all 17 of the evaluated LCL strains. In addition, we identified clinical trait-associated expression phenotypes in LCLs.</P><P>Conclusion: </P><P>Our results showed that LCLs acquired expression phenotype changes involving expression of NF-&kgr;B pathway- and carcinogenesis-related genes during long-term subculture. These differentially expressed genes can be considered to be a gene signature of LCL immortalization or EBV-induced carcinogenesis. Clinical trait-associated expression phenotypes should prove useful in the discovery of new candidate genes for particular traits.</P>

Paclitaxel suppresses Tau-mediated microtubule bundling in a concentration-dependent manner

Choi, Myung Chul,Chung, Peter J.,Song, Chaeyeon,Miller, Herbert P.,Kiris, E.,Li, Youli,Wilson, Leslie,Feinstein, Stuart C.,Safinya, Cyrus R. Elsevier 2017 Biochimica et biophysica acta, General subjects Vol.1861 No.1

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P><B>Background</B></P> <P>Microtubules (MTs) are protein nanotubes comprised of straight protofilaments (PFs), head to tail assemblies of αβ-tubulin heterodimers. Previously, it was shown that Tau, a microtubule-associated protein (MAP) localized to neuronal axons, regulates the average number of PFs in microtubules with increasing inner radius <<I> R</I> <SUB>in</SUB> <SUP>MT</SUP> > observed for increasing Tau/tubulin-dimer molar ratio Φ<SUB>Tau</SUB> at paclitaxel/tubulin-dimer molar ratio Λ<SUB>Ptxl</SUB> =1/1.</P> <P><B>Methods</B></P> <P>We report a synchrotron SAXS and TEM study of the phase behavior of microtubules as a function of varying concentrations of paclitaxel (1/32≤Λ<SUB>Ptxl</SUB> ≤1/4) and Tau (human isoform 3RS, 0≤Φ<SUB>3RS</SUB> ≤1/2) at room temperature.</P> <P><B>Results</B></P> <P>Tau and paclitaxel have opposing regulatory effects on microtubule bundling architectures and microtubule diameter. Surprisingly and in contrast to previous results at Λ<SUB>Ptxl</SUB> =1/1 where microtubule bundles are absent, in the lower paclitaxel concentration regime (Λ<SUB>Ptxl</SUB> ≤1/4), we observe both microtubule doublets and triplets with increasing Tau. Furthermore, increasing paclitaxel concentration (up to Λ<SUB>Ptxl</SUB> =1/1) slightly decreased the average microtubule diameter (by ~1 PF) while increasing Tau concentration (up to Φ<SUB>3RS</SUB> =1/2) significantly increased the diameter (by ~2–3 PFs).</P> <P><B>Conclusions</B></P> <P>The suppression of Tau-mediated microtubule bundling with increasing paclitaxel is consistent with paclitaxel seeding more, but shorter, microtubules by rapidly exhausting tubulin available for polymerization. Microtubule bundles require the aggregate Tau-Tau attractions along the microtubule length to overcome individual microtubule thermal energies disrupting bundles.</P> <P><B>General significance</B></P> <P>Investigating MAP-mediated interactions between microtubules (as it relates to <I>in vivo</I> behavior) requires the elimination or minimization of paclitaxel.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Increasing paclitaxel suppresses Tau-mediated microtubule bundling. </LI> <LI> A length-dependent mechanism for Tau-mediated microtubule bundling is proposed. </LI> <LI> Understanding MAP/microtubule behavior requires elimination of paclitaxel use. </LI> </UL> </P>

Search for Λc+→ϕpπ0 and branching fraction measurement of Λc+→K−π+pπ0

Pal, B.,Schwartz, A. J.,Adachi, I.,Aihara, H.,Al Said, S.,Asner, D. M.,Aushev, T.,Ayad, R.,Badhrees, I.,Bakich, A. M.,Bansal, V.,Behera, P.,Berger, M.,Bhardwaj, V.,Biswal, J.,Bobrov, A.,Bozek, A.,Bra& American Physical Society 2017 Physical review. D Vol.96 No.5

<P>We have searched for the Cabibbo-suppressed decay Lambda(+)(c) -> pi p(0) in e(+) e(-) collisions using a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 915 fb(-1). The data were collected by the Belle experiment at the KEKB e(+) e(-) asymmetric-energy collider running at or near the (4S) and (5S) resonances. No significant signal is observed, and we set an upper limit on the branching fraction of B(Lambda(+)(c) -> phi p(0)) < 15.3 x 10(-5) at 90% confidence level. The contribution of nonresonant Lambda(+)(c) -> K+ K- p pi(0) decays is found to be consistent with zero, and the corresponding upper limit on its branching fraction is set to be B(Lambda(+)(c) ->. K+ K- p pi(0))(NR) < 6.3 x 10(-5) at 90% confidence level. We also search for an intermediate hidden-strangeness pentaquark decay P-s(+) -> phi p. We see no evidence for this intermediate decay and set an upper limit on the product branching fraction of B(Lambda(+)(c) -> P-s(+) pi(0)) x B(P-s(+) -> phi p) < 8.3 x 10(-5) at 90% confidence level. Finally, we measure the branching fraction for the Cabibbo-favored decay Lambda(+)(c) -> K- pi(+) p pi(0); the result is B(Lambda(+)(c) -> K- pi(+) p pi(0)) = (4.42 +/- 0.05(stat)+/- 0.12(syst)+/- 0.16(norm))%, which is the most precise measurement to date.</P>

Report of the CCQM-K97: measurement of arsenobetaine standard solution and arsenobetaine content in fish tissue (tunafish)

Ma, L D,Wang, J,WEI, C,Kuroiwa, T,Narukawa, T,Ito, N,HIOKI, A,CHIBA, K,Yim, Y H,Lee, K S,Lim, Y R,Turk, G C,Davis, C W,Mester, Z,Yang, L,McCooeye, M,Maxwell, P,Cankur, O,Tokman, N,Coskun, F G BUREAU INTERNATIONAL DES POIDS ET MESURES 2017 METROLOGIA -BERLIN- Vol.54 No.-

<P></P> <P>The CCQM-K97 key comparison was organized by the inorganic analysis working group (IAWG) of CCQM as a follow-up to completed pilot study CCQM-P96 and P96.1 to test the abilities of the national metrology institutes to accurately quantitate the mass fraction of arsenobetaine (AsB) in standard solution and in fish tissue. A pilot study CCQM-P133 was parallelized with this key comparison. National Institute of Metrology (NIM), China and National Metrology Institute of Japan (NMIJ) acted as the coordinating laboratories.</P> <P>Six NMIs participated in CCQM-K97 and two institutes participated in CCQM-P133, and all of them submitted the results. Some NMIs submitted more than one results by different methods. The results were in excellent agreement with each other, and obviously better than those of previous P96 and P96.1. Therefore the calibrant which each NMI used was comparable. It shows that the capabilities of some of the participants have been improved after the previous pilot studies.</P> <H2>Main text</H2> <P> To reach the main text of this paper, click on <A HREF='http://www.bipm.org/utils/common/pdf/final_reports/QM/K97/CCQM-K97.pdf'>Final Report</A>. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database <A HREF='http://kcdb.bipm.org/'>kcdb.bipm.org/</A>.</P> <P>The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCQM, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).</P>

Clinical efficacy and safety of abatacept in methotrexate-naive patients with early rheumatoid arthritis and poor prognostic factors

Westhovens, R,Robles, M,Ximenes, A C,Nayiager, S,Wollenhaupt, J,Durez, P,Gomez-Reino, J,Grassi, W,Haraoui, B,Shergy, W,Park, S-H,Genant, H,Peterfy, C,Becker, J-C,Covucci, A,Helfrick, R,Bathon, J BMJ Group 2009 Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases Vol.68 No.12

<P><B>Objectives:</B></P><P>To assess the efficacy and safety of abatacept in methotrexate-naive patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and poor prognostic factors.</P><P><B>Methods:</B></P><P>In this double-blind, phase IIIb study, patients with RA for 2 years or less were randomly assigned 1 : 1 to receive abatacept (∼10 mg/kg) plus methotrexate, or placebo plus methotrexate. Patients were methotrexate-naive and seropositive for rheumatoid factor (RF), anti-cyclic citrullinated protein (CCP) type 2 or both and had radiographic evidence of joint erosions. The co-primary endpoints were the proportion of patients achieving disease activity score in 28 joints (DAS28)-defined remission (C-reactive protein) and joint damage progression (Genant-modified Sharp total score; TS) at year 1. Safety was monitored throughout.</P><P><B>Results:</B></P><P>At baseline, patients had a mean DAS28 of 6.3, a mean TS of 7.1 and mean disease duration of 6.5 months; 96.5% and 89.0% of patients were RF or anti-CCP2 seropositive, respectively. At year 1, a significantly greater proportion of abatacept plus methotrexate-treated patients achieved remission (41.4% vs 23.3%; p<0.001) and there was significantly less radiographic progression (mean change in TS 0.63 vs 1.06; p = 0.040) versus methotrexate alone. Over 1 year, the frequency of adverse events (84.8% vs 83.4%), serious adverse events (7.8% vs 7.9%), serious infections (2.0% vs 2.0%), autoimmune disorders (2.3% vs 2.0%) and malignancies (0.4% vs 0%) was comparable for abatacept plus methotrexate versus methotrexate alone.</P><P><B>Conclusions:</B></P><P>In a methotrexate-naive population with early RA and poor prognostic factors, the combination of abatacept and methotrexate provided significantly better clinical and radiographic efficacy compared with methotrexate alone and had a comparable, favourable safety profile.</P>

Growth and Nutrient Utilization in Buffalo Calves Fed Urea-ammoniated Wheat Straw and Hydrochloric Acid plus Urea Treated Wheat Straw

Nair, P.V.,Verma, A.K.,Dass, R.S.,Mehra, U.R. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2002 Animal Bioscience Vol.15 No.5

Ten growing male buffalo calves (aged 6-8 months, average body weight $88.2{\pm}0.57$ kg were divided randomly into two groups. Animals in group I were fed on concentrate mixture A (CP 20.2%, TDN 77.4%) and urea- ammoniated wheat straw (UAWS) while the animals in group II were fed on concentrate mixture B (CP 17.9%, TDN 77.6%) and HCl plus urea treated wheat straw (HCl UAWS) to meet their nutrient requirement for 500 g gain/d as per Kearl (1982). This feeding practice lasted for 120 days, during which fortnightly body weight were recorded to assess their growth rate. A metabolism trial was conducted after 90 days of experimental feeding to compare the digestibility of nutrients, their balance, plane of nutrition and relative cost of feeding in two groups of animals. Results revealed a significant increase in the CP content of ammoniated wheat straw due to addition of HCl viz 12.1% from 7.5%. There was a decrease in the intake of DM (p<0.05), OM (p<0.05), EE (p<0.05), NDF (p<0.01), ADF (p<0.01), cellulose (p<0.01) and hemicellulose (p<0.01) in group II as compared to group I. The digestibility (%) of DM, OM and CP was significantly (p<0.01) more in group II, whereas the digestibility (%) was significantly more for NDF (p<0.05) and hemicellulose (p<0.01) in group I than group II. There was no significant difference in the N, Ca and P balance in two groups. Intake of total DM (g/d) or (g/kg $W^{0.75}$) was significantly (p<0.01) more in group I as compared to group II, whereas the intake of DCP and TDN (g/d or g/kg $W^{0.75}$) was alike in two groups. The total body weight gain (kg), average daily gain (g/d) and feed conversion efficiency were significantly (p<0.01) more in UAWS fed group as compared to HCl UAWS fed group. Feeding cost (Rs./kg. weight gain) was significantly (p<0.05) more in group II as compared to group I. It is concluded that HCl UAWS is not suitable for the feeding of growing buffalo calves as it reduced the growth rate in comparison to UAWS fed buffalo calves.

Comparison of Methodologies to Quantify Phytate Phosphorus in Diets Containing Phytase and Excreta from Broilers

de P. Naves, L.,Rodrigues, P.B.,Bertechini, A.G.,Correa, A.D.,de Oliveira, D.H.,de Oliveira, E.C.,Duarte, W.F.,da Cunha, M.R.R. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2014 Animal Bioscience Vol.27 No.7

The use of a suitable methodology to quantify the phytate phosphorus ($P_{phy}$) content in both the feed and the excreta from broilers is required to enable accurate calculation of the catalytic efficiency of the phytase supplemented in the feed. This study was conducted to compare 2 analytical methodologies (colorimetry and also high-performance liquid chromatography with a refractive index detector) in order to calculate the phytase efficiency by utilizing the results from the methodology that was shown to be the most appropriate. One hundred and twenty broilers were distributed in a $(4+1){\times}2$ factorial arrangement, corresponding to 4 diets that were equally deficient in P supplemented with increasing levels of phytase (0, 750, 1,500, and 2,250 units of phytase activity - FTU - per kg of feed) plus 1 positive control diet without phytase, supplied to male and female birds. The result indicated that the colorimetric methodology with an extraction ratio of 1:20 (mass of sample in g:volume of the solvent extractor in mL) was shown to be the most adequate. There was no interaction between the phytase level and the sex of the broilers (p>0.05). Males consumed 12% more $P_{phy}$ than did females (p<0.01), but the sex of the broilers did not affect (p>0.05) the excretion and retention coefficient of $P_{phy}$. The increase in the phytase level of the diet reduced (linear, p<0.01) the $P_{phy}$ excretion. The greatest $P_{phy}$ retention was estimated at 87.85% when the diet contained 1,950 FTU/kg (p<0.01), indicating that it is possible to reduce the inorganic P in the formulation at an amount equivalent to 87.85% of the $P_{phy}$ content present in the feed, which, in this research, corresponds to a decrease in 2.86 g of P/kg of the feed.

Disruption of a regulatory loop between DUSP1 and p53 contributes to hepatocellular carcinoma development and progression

Hao, P.P.,Li, H.,Lee, M.J.,Wang, Y.P.,Kim, J.H.,Yu, G.R.,Lee, S.Y.,Leem, S.H.,Jang, K.Y.,Kim, D.G. Elsevier Science Publishers 2015 Journal of hepatology Vol.62 No.6

Background & Aims: Altered expression of dual specificity phosphatase 1 (DUSP1) is common in tumors including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and is predictive of tumor progression and poor prognosis. However, the tumor suppressive role of DUSP1 has yet to be clearly elucidated. Methods: The molecular mechanisms of tumor suppression that were investigated were induction of apoptosis, cell cycle inhibition, and regulation of p53. Additionally, the antitumor effect of DUSP1 was assessed using a mouse model. Associated signaling pathways in HCC cells and tissues were examined. Results: Downregulation of DUSP1 expression was significantly correlated with poor differentiation (p<0.001) and advanced HCC stage (p=0.023). DUSP1 expression resulted in HCC suppression and longer survival (p=0.0002) in a xenoplant mice model. DUSP1 inhibited p38 MAPK phosphorylation and subsequently suppressed HSP27 activation, resulting in enhanced p53 phosphorylation at sites S15, S20, and S46 in HCC cells. Enhanced p53 activation induced the expression of target genes p21 and p27, which are linked to cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Thus, DUSP1 was potentially linked to p53 activation via the p38 MAPK/HSP27 pathway. Wild-type but not mutant p53 transcriptionally upregulated DUSP1 via its DNA-binding domain. DUSP1 and p53 might collaborate to suppress tumors in hepatocarcinogenesis via a positive regulatory loop. Conclusions: Our results revealed that disruption of a positive regulatory loop between DUSP1 and p53 promoted HCC development and progression, providing a rationale for a therapeutic agent that restores DUSP1 in HCC.

Factors Affecting Reproductive Performance in the Nepalese Pakhribas Pig: Effects of Nutrition and Housing during Lactation

Shrestha, N.P.,Edwards, S.A.,English, P.R.,Robertson, J.F. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2003 Animal Bioscience Vol.16 No.5

The effects of housing and nutrition on the performance of first lactation sows of the Nepalese Pakhribas breed were investigated. A total of 36 sows, from a previous experiment on nutrition during gilt rearing, were allocated according to a factorial design with 2 levels of nutrition, 60 or 80% of the calculated lactation requirement, and two types of housing, traditional or improved. The mean live weight loss of sows during lactation was reduced to a slightly greater extent by improved housing (p<0.05) than by better nutrition (p<0.10). There was also a significantly lower loss of $P_2$ backfat thickness (p<0.05) and mean body condition score (p<0.05) for sows on the higher plane of nutrition. Piglet weight gain in early and mid lactation was influenced by gestation feeding of the gilt (p<0.10) and by housing (p<0.05). Late lactation gain was influenced only by lactation feeding (p<0.05). In consequence, piglet weight at 42 day weaning was increased to a similar extent by improved housing (p<0.05) and better lactation nutrition (p<0.01). Significantly more sows were remated by day 10 after weaning from a higher level of rearing nutrition ($x^2=13.57$, p=0.001), and from improved housing and improved lactation (both $x^2=4.57$, p=0.033). It is concluded that, under Nepalese village conditions, improvements in housing may be a more cost effective way of improving sow performance than expenditure on additional feed resources.